The WB Welcomes The Holiday Season With Two World Premiere Specials: “The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Return To Middle Earth,” Narrated By “Smallville’s” Michael Rosenbaum And The Animated “A Scooby-Doo Christmas”

(November 19, 2002 – Burbank, CA) – The WB continues to build its holiday library of family entertainment with classic feature films and animated favorites, special episodes of the network’s comedy and drama series and two world premiere specials: “THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, RETURN TO MIDDLE EARTH” -- a uniquely detailed behind-the-scenes look at “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” -- on Wednesday, December 4 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) and the animated “A SCOOBY-DOO CHRISTMAS” on Friday, December 13 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET). Hosted by actor Michael Rosenbaum, who has won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lex Luthor on The WB’s hit drama “Smallville,” “THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, RETURN TO MIDDLE EARTH” is more than a behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated second film in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The special follows the life-changing adventure shared by the young stars of the feature. Thrown together for three years in the magnificent landscape of New Zealand, the actors’ real-life challenges mirror the challenges faced by their characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastic world of Middle Earth. In addition to on-location cast interviews and an exclusive, world premiere clip from the film, the special gives viewers an in-depth look at the fantastic sets and costumes, as well as interviews with director Peter Johnson and Academy Award-Winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie. For the millions of fans of the trilogy, this is a not-to-be-missed. In the first primetime holiday special from Scooby-Doo and friends, “A SCOOBY-DOO CHRISTMAS,” the Scooby Gang stumbles upon the quaint town of Winter Hollow, where they quickly discover that strangers are not welcome and Christmas is not even discussed due to the frightening presence of a ghostly headless snowman who appears every Yuletide to destroy people’s houses, along with their holiday joy. Shaggy and Scooby, along with Fred, Daphne and Velma, all spend a chilling Christmas Eve trying to solve the mystery of the snowman and return the spirit of Christmas back to Winter Hollow. The heartwarming animated film about a boy and his giant robot, “THE IRON GIANT” will air for the first time on The WB on Thursday, November 28, 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET. With the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel and Harry Connick, Jr., this charming film set in 1958 follows the adventures of a giant metal alien robot who drops from the sky into the forest near a small town in Maine and into the life of a young boy. Also airing for the first time on The WB on Friday, December 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET), “OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER” features the voice of Drew Barrymore as Olive, a dog who mistakenly believes she is “the other reindeer” in the holiday song, and travels to the North Pole where she proves to be a surprisingly helpful addition to Santa’s team. Adding to the Christmas cheer, the animated special “GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER” will air on Thursday, December 12 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) and the beloved holiday classic “DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” will air on Friday, December 13, (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET). The WB comedies join in the holiday spirit on Thursday, December 5, with Christmas episodes of “FAMILY AFFAIR” (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET), “DO OVER” (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET) and “JKX: THE JAMIE KENNEDY EXPERIMENT” (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET). On Friday, December 6, the merriment continues with a Christmas episode of “SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH” (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET). The WB’s hit “GILMORE GIRLS” (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) presents a snowy wonderland on Tuesday, December 10, complete with a winter carnival, a love triangle and an unexpected visit from great-grandmother Gilmore (Marion Ross). On Wednesday, December 11, all is not merry on “DAWSON’S CREEK” (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) when the whole gang gathers for a Capeside Christmas. On Friday, December 13, “REBA” (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET) finds herself spending a blue Christmas by herself – or so she thinks – and musical group Los Lobos stops by to pay a holiday visit on “GREETINGS FROM TUCSON” (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET). The hit holiday film “JACK FROST” will make its WB premiere on Sunday, December 22 (7:30-10:00 p.m. ET). Starring Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston, “JACK FROST” is the story of a loving father whose life is cut short by an accident. Given the chance to return as a snowman, Jack has one last chance to set things right with his wife and son. # # #